A trip to Bristol and two gems… Hyde and Co (20/20) and The Woods (19/20)

Let’s start at Hyde and Co, the top of a steep hill for ladies in heels!

Location: 2 The Basement, Berkley Cresecent

Website: www.hydeandcobristol.net

Visit: Various mid-week evenings

To Note: It is “speakeasy” but following the address is easy and buzz to be let in

Scores
Ambiance: 5/5
Design: 5/5
Drinks: 5/5
Staff: 5/5
Extra LBS star: I’ll stick to top marks

The entrance

Now as I was writing up the scores I found I really could not fault this bar. And that is even taking into account how everyone I’d met told me how great the bar scene in Bristol is.

Once inside (a buzzer outside flashes the bar lights so you will not be disturbed once in) the space is nicely designed to feel like you can curl up in a corner for a tete-a-tete or pull up a chair at the bar and enjoy the skills of the bar staff. Lighting is subtle and comfy couches sit alongside low antique tables and large mottled mirrors; You know the style. The music is jazzy 20’s style but I would describe Bristol as “speak easy” by necessity. It is the spaces that offer themselves to this concept rather than bar owners going out to create a speakeasy. If that makes sense…

Spey Honey

The bar manager Mark is an absolute star handling drink orders with panache, never breaking off a conversation and he treated me to a tasty nip of aged Tapasita tequila, friend for life! The menu is intriguing enough to have a read rather than going off-piste and I would seriously recommend the Spey Honey made with Glenrothes whisky and plum liqueur – a favourite ingredient of mine. And whilst Mark makes the drinks the floor staff flit from table to table ensuring you have enough water, drinks and are generally content. Which everyone is.

So, one not to miss and onto…

The Woods

Location: 1 Park Street Avenue

Website: www.thewoodsnbar.co.uk  

Visit: Various mid-week evenings

To Note:  Another steep hill ladies but not so long!

Scores
Ambiance: 4/5
Design: 5/5
Drinks: 5/5
Staff: 5/5

I think if I get to revisit The Woods in summer, this will easily be a 20/20 with a courtyard to enjoy the warmer weather in. As is, this reminds me somewhat of Milk Thistle in Bristol (sister to Hyde&Co) with a grand country house style, dark green walls, the bar on the ground floor and a wooden balcony above overlooking this ground floor room and its walls lined with some interested skulls.  Similarly the seating is either leather couches or pull up a high stool at the bar. (I was also told that this venue really picks up later on with the ground floor packing out for dancing).

Their cocktail menus tend to go walk about so best just to have a chat with the very competent staff, and come armed with sweet/sour, long/short and a base spirit; let them do the rest. And if your base spirit is whisky or bourbon all the better because with over 100 you are spoilt for choice. I tried an oooold Bruichladdich as a special treat then their recommended – current – favourite bourbon, Rock Hill Farm

Staff were very happy to chat between making drinks whilst also being aware of other customers, the music etc, basically a well-run joint. So why the point off? As I mentioned I was not here at the right time, and a group of friends, half of whom were doing shots of Patron Café in the corner, seemed a little odd for a Wednesday 9pm. 

Another one to hit for a boogie once you have had your quiet chat at Hyde & Co.

Overall, Bristol has a lot to offer with Milk Thistle, Goldbrick House and Hausbar all pushing boundaries and great restaurants (try Cherry Duck) helping too

New Bar Opening: Mizuwari, Soho

Location: 16 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TL

Website: www.bincho.co.uk/whisky-joint 

To Visit: Open as restaurant, every day between 5pm and close. No bookings

To Note: Walk past the charcoal grill and its delicious smells towards the back then down the stairs

Mizuwari, which translates as “mixed with water”, has officially opened its doors; or at least the stairs that lead down from the back of Japanese grill restaurant Bincho Yakitori. Situated beside LAB on Old Compton Street, you need to walk to through the restaurant to the stairs to find this “1950’s Japan” inspired whisky joint. The room can hold about 40 people and is kitted out with low wooden tables and stools to match the wooden screens on the walls, set off by large swords as decoration.

This is the work of Suntory, and shows off their three expressions Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki. And this is all they will be serving. But if you think that whisky is not “your thing” think again as their list of cocktails is very impressive from a simple twist of elder-flower and soda to a tea-ceremony type drink with wasabi paste. And if you are whisky-mad and this is your “died and gone to heaven” place, why not consider their bottle keep service? Buy your bottle now and it will be waiting for you with your name on each time you return. Just try not to over-do it with the most expensive option at over £500 a bottle! They also have decanters of water purified to an ancient recipe with high grade Japanese charcoal, the same as used upstairs, to water down some of those high abvs.

So if you are a fan of whisky, if you are a fan of cocktails or even if you are just a fan of some innovative (in London) Japanese cooking don’t forget the newest hidden drinking den. 

(Pictures courtesy of 360 Communications, the brill PR team behind Suntory UK)

January Offer - £5 House Cocktails at Dabbous

Blood and Sand

I have long been a fan of Dabbous (Whitfield St) and the genius of Oskar behind the bar, but for some reason that I cannot fathom I had not visited in many a month. So with the announcement that it was back open after a THREE week break I headed off to prop up their bar. 

And here is the best bit - get yourself down there in January to enjoy their house cocktails at just £5. £5! This bar is already excellent value with most drinks coming under £10 and being totally delicious. So what should you drink? 

Pump Up The Jam

The Mellow Yellow is a curious mix of smoky whisky and yellow pepper. Order it, but make sure your friend orders something different so you can share as this is so complex you'll need a breather. The Bulletproof was staggeringly good - if impossible to lift - with bourbon, greengage and gooseberry all coming together with mint and citrus. The Dewars 12yo used in the Blood and Sand adds a lovely smoked note to the drinks. And the Pump Up The Jam is one for the girls. No denying it when this pink flower topped vanilla and pumpkin jam concoction turns up with an added twist of whisky bitters. Men, you have been warned.

So, get down there and enjoy a £5 cocktail, then stay for the food, music, ambiance and everything else. 

Happy 2013!

Hello

Welcome back

Happy New Year etc etc

So, what were your 2012 bar highlights?

Instead of looking back I am going to look ahead. Antico, Bermondsey Street, is revamping their bar - a plus to have a bar to wait for a table in their fab restaurant but never quite got the feel right - and is re-opening the second week of January. Dray Walk off Brick Lane is going to be the foodie haven for 2013. My own little project with The Table in Southwark is almost at take off point, watch this space for a soft launch on their cocktails menu. 

And my personal ambition - hitting those 5* hotel bars. Now I have the money (work allowance), motivation (our brands are well placed for these venues) and time (with just one full time job to run!) I look forward to drinking well and making new friends. 

I also vow to visit Callooh Callay on a regular basis, do not make enough of my Jub Jub status and I apologise! 

If you have any suggestions or you'd like to know if I've been somewhere just drop me a note. And if you fancy a review just let me know where you are, but no free drinks accepted, that's bribery...

London Cocktail Week : Wednesday - Golden Bee

After 4 events I thought I was heading home but there was the chance to hit one more bar taking part in the £4 offer... so it was with foodie/drink-ophile Wilkes (wilkes888.wordpress.com) that I took advantage of a dry evening to visit roof top Golden Bee. 

This can be found above the aptly name "adult bar" The Horns and the door is just off Old Street. One flight of stairs, in which hangs an elaborate chandelier that would look tacky anywhere else, brings you to a rather spectacular display of bling. The bar was, I initially thought, sponsored by Finlandia but actually that was just one "swirl" (see pic) and they had a good range of products. Outside is the first level with seating and a mezzanine level which would be great to curl up in with a group of friends. But don't bother with all this. Take the spiral stairs up to the top - there is a bar there too - and snuggle under the rugs near the heat lamps to enjoy the views. OK. There are not like Paramount, this is old street after all. But it is a unique perspective on an area I know well. 

There were two barmen, one was training the other when we went, and since this was the first time he made the drink I say kudos to him, it was well put together. I suspected that Golden Bee may have missed the boat only opening at the end of the summer but on a dry winter evening they are certainly doing everything they can to keep you warm up there. The manager - who barely looked old enough to drink! - was friendly and helpful when he heard us discussing when it opened and informed us that it was generally pack Friday and Saturday nights with a clubby feel and the dancefloor will rock, So one to bear in mind if you are looking for a boogie in the area. 

I have heard some people complaining that it is tacky however I think you need to take Golden Bee for what it is: fun, roof top cocktail bar that doesn't take itself too seriously. I think I will be back, but if you go do take someone to snuggle up to as the temperatures drop! It may even be quite special in the snow...!

Bourne and Hollingsworth, Centre: 20/20

Location: 28 Rathbourne Place, off Tottenham Court Road

Website: www.bourneandhollingsworth.com

Visit: Weekday Evenings

To Note? Another basement joint, go just round the corner and look for the black abnd white print on the wall

Scores

Ambiance 5/5

Design 5/5

Drinks 5/5

Staff 5/5

Extra LBS star: not when you have experienced the joys of The Fourth Wall…and The Blitz…but I wouldn't change a thing here! 

I was not taken by surprise at the interior of this cocktail bar having been to their pop up, The Fourth Wall, however without pre-warning you may wonder if you just stepped into Grandma’s living room. The walls are papered in yellow floral print. The tables are covered covered in lace clothes. There is a fireplace. And a Mary Poppins lamp. And there are very good cocktails.

Already a huge fan from the events they run – The Blitz for one which I have been remiss at writing up – I have tried some of their menu like ReBourne and Hollingsworth Fizz. Their menu is a folding miracle with each opening revealing another page but there are grouped in an easy-to-read manner and handily show the glass style beside each one (in case you have a need to go elegant, or for a long drink). There was no water on offer – fail – but the drinks which were a very pink Ginger Daisy and a Cherry Sidecar were nicely balanced and well priced at just £7.50 each. The bar staff are also friendly and really know their stuff.

In the midst on no reservations London, you can reserve one of the 8 or so tables round the edge of the room and you’d be advised to do this if arriving later than 8pm or with a group; having been here late before, once the DJ hits the decks you won’t want to leave either.

An absolute gem in the centre of London but shh, don’t tell everyone! 

Hawksmoor Spitalfelds - Downstairs 20/20

Location: Commercial Street

Website: http://www.thehawksmoor.co.uk/locations/spitalfields

Visit: Monday evening - soft launch

To Note? Restaurant upstairs bar downstairs

Score

Ambiance 5/5

Design 5/5

Drinks 5/5

Staff 5/5

Extra LBS star: It got 20/20 - it doesn't need it!

I am writing this from the point of view of someone who has never actually been to Hawksmoor before – and I LOVED it. We descended to what was previously a store room and entered through a heavy steel door to a sleek world of green leather banquettes, high tables and stools and aged mirrors to reflect the gentle candle light.

Although we were the only two in our area on arrival it soon filled up though the atmosphere remained intimate. Perhaps this was to do with the service. Now I know that although this was a “soft launch” this is not a brand new company or team however it was flawless throughout from the water on arrival to the waitress who was happy to explain the menu (and some of it needed explaining – Bermondsey Friar anyone?) finishing with the bar man who promised a “party in the mouth” with our last cocktail! I would genuinely like to thank the staff for being awesome at every point during the evening – and especially as we outstayed our time slot by 45 minutes. (Time slots are also only for the soft launch period.)

So, the cocktails. Their Ginger Brew which has been with them from the start was so fresh and full of flavour, the Old Fashioned blew my socks off and the Manila Julep was outstanding – even if under all that ice it disappeared very quickly. The prices vary wildly from £7.50 to £11 but it is good to know that each month the list will change and the Desert Island Drinks Section will feature five favourites from different barmen.

As for the food I had high expectations and really was not disappointed. Hawksmoor have pointed out this is a bar – there are no steaks here people! – but the single page of food offers more than enough choice. Starting with spiced up lamb in lettuce leaves, the cheeseburger was declared perfectly cooked, a chilli cheese hot dog hit the spot and accompanying triple cooked chips and coleslaw (which our waitress kindly agreed to request spiced up) were fabulous. And even better was all this left room to share a lemon meringue pie which had a perfectly thin crispy base, an oozing liquid centre and delightfully chewy meringue on top. Yum!

So three cocktails and plenty of food for two would come to (outside soft launch prices) around £70 including service which I really do not think is an issue for this quality of food and drink, this environment and for London full stop.

The crowd was mixed and will inevitably get some business from the nearby city institutes but like its upstairs restaurant it remains unpretentious and a really enjoyable place to spend an evening. I am already looking forward to the next visit – there is a chocolate malt cake with my name on it!

69 Colebrooke Row, Angel: 18/20*

Location: Colebrooke Row, 10 minutes walk north from Angel


Website: http://69colebrookerow.com/

Visit: Friday evenings

To Note: aka The Bar With No Name, look out for the Martini awning

Scores

Ambience 5/5

Design 3/5

Drinks 5/5

Staff 5/5

Extra LBS Star: yup, it's got something that has me intrigued...


I first visited 69 Colebrooke Row, also called The Bar With No Name, when it opened and I was newly arrived in London. I didn’t get it. It was small, dark and expensive. On a cold Friday night, with due notice that I LOVE their sister bar the Zetter Townhouse, I returned to the scene of the crime to try again and it was small, dark and…really pretty reasonable!

The Bar With No Name similarly has no sign outside; Just walk north from Angel up Colebrooke Row for about 10 minutes and take the martini awning as a guide to their door. And make sure you book or you’ll have to take a stair and hope someone leaves.

So you may need to read the menu by the light of your mobile phone if you are not lucky enough to get a bar seat – you can ask and you will have the staff squeezing through but well worth the effort to enjoy the show – but who cares when the menu reads so damn well. Enjoy a glass of water as you browse (tick!) and if you look a little undecided they are more than happy to recommend both on and off the menu (tick!); then the staff dressed in a cross between a lab coat and a blazer will bring you your drink on a silver tray.

At £9 for all house cocktails I barely acknowledged the wine or beer overleaf – but the choices are there if you do not choose your drinking companion wisely. I opted for the Rhubarb Gimlet, of which several ingredients were homemade, and it was quite frankly fresh and delicious. A Manhattan similarly produced oohs and aahs from my friend.

As for the space it is small but does not lack atmosphere and they certainly are trying to fit us all in comfortably with a mixture of high barstools at the bar (surprise), against the back wall and then low tables and chairs throughout. Otherwise a few large drinks posters and wooden floors make up the rest. The music on the night had a latino flavour and I could definitely envisage dancing – in a reserved “limited space” kind of way – picking up as the cocktails go down.

I am not sure what I did not understand the first time round, perhaps it was the crowd I took, perhaps it was London prices still shocking me, either way I’ve booked onto one of Tony’s masterclasses here for March and look forward to more trips to North London in the not too distant future.

Presenting…Havana Club Rum (photos to follow)

Last Tuesday I returned to the scene of the crime – Callooh Callay – for another of their fabulous Jub Jub member tasting evenings. Actually I have always been remarkably well behaved at this bar; with it being one of my favourites I would hate to lose my privileges! And it remains one of my favourites as I arrived early especially to enjoy one of their fabulous scotch eggs, this time accompanied by surprisingly tasty tomato ketchup popcorn and predictably excellent “Fine and Dandy”, or figgy pudding as described in the menu.

So onto the main event with the glamorous Meimi, a self expressed “Scuban” – a Scottish Cuban. She was keen for us to try not only the different rum expressions but to put them in cocktail context and to add to food to really think about flavour pairings. Some facts:

• Rums are aged in a Solera System, an idea imported from Jerez, Spain
• The barrels go through Wild Turkey Bourbon and Scotch distilleries before arriving in Cuba
• The liquid, when it comes straight off the still, is called Aguardiente – firewater
• If you want to test the quality of dark rum, coat a wine glass with rum and leave upside down on the table for 20 minutes, when you return it should smell of rum, rather than distinct blocks of flavour

Havana Club 3 Year Old

-          in a beetroot daiquiri

-          served with stilton and walnut

It smelt fresh and almost grassy

It tasted like root beer, slightly medicinal and developed caramel notes with time but retained fresh nose

Smooth and good length

Havana Club Especial

-          Cuba libre

-          Plantain crisps

It smelt like caramel and nutmeg

It tasted like vanilla, green apple and spice

It was smoother, heavier and longer retaining grassiness at the end

Havana Club 7 Year Old

-          rich daiquiri

-          grilled tropical fruit and parma ham with spices

It smelt like 1&2 – caramel and fresh grass

It tasted a bit like damp earth (in a good way)

We should be picking up dried fruit, bitter chocolate, coffee, sweet tobacco – I didn’t!

One to drink straight due to elegance, to quiet for cocktails?

Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros

-          straight

-          with an orange flavoured chocolate

Unblended 10 year old aguardiente with needs all 6 blenders to agree on quality and style before it can be released, rare and clearly more expensive

It smells like fresh caramel, coffee and orange

It tastes like fire and has more bite but a smooth finish

Now if you want to go all out, look for Havana Club Maximo Rum at £1500 a bottle. With only 1000 bottles a year we’d all by lucky to ever try this.

Great night had, again. Thanks!

New Evaristo Club aka Trisha's, Soho, 17/20*

Location: 57 Greek Street, Soho

Website: Just a number, 0207 437 9536

Visit: Saturday evening after dinner

To Note? Another unassuming entrance. Apparently a member's club but they seem happy to let you off if it is not busy. If you do get caught the hefty fee of £5 will sign you up for the year and allow 5 friends access.

Scores

Ambiance 5/5

Design 3/5

Drinks 4/5

Staff 5/5

Extra LBS star: Absolutely worthy *

The label on the buzzer is the only clue that you are at the right place. But grit your teeth, hit the dirty red carpet to the basement...and prepare to be amazed. Well, perhaps the amazement comes not from the bar itself but the surprise at finding this little gem down such a salubrious corridor. And wait till you hear the price of drinks...

Seating choices are either at the bar - the locals will give you cockney lessons if interested - or on one of three shared tables covered in wipe-down covers. And do not hold your breath for a menu, it is whatever you want, if they can do it, for £3.50 - IN SOHO!!

Once settled take in your surroundings. The walls are a mixture of peeling paint, Al Pacino film posters, MDF panelling and various flags. Frank Sinatra is not only pumping through the sound system setting you tapping your foot but also painted on the wall. In fact the guys at the bar looked like they had just come from a Rat Pack concert! Downside - avoid the toilet

The crowd was mixed - both in age and style - but perfectly friendly and we were all delighted when "a guy with a saxophone" turned up, sat on a chair and jazzed away to the tunes. This bar is not trying to be cool. Someone has just set up a bar, thrown in some dining room tables and wobbly stools, and run with it. It will not suit everyone - if you're suited and booted for cocktails this is not your place - but I feel like I may have just found my second home. For utter casual with top tunes, try Trisha's.

The Hide Bar, London Bridge 14/20

Location: 

Bermondsey Street

Website: www.thehidebar.com

Visit: Friday after work, mid-week evening date

To Note? With some affiliation to WSET just next door there are some interesting wines and spirits behind the bar

Scores

Ambiance 2/5

Design 3/5

Drinks 4/5

Staff 5/5

Extra LBS star: Just not there

The Hide Bar should be cool. It’s on Bermondsey Street, an already popular area getting better by the day with neighbours like Jose and Zucca. It has a good name, making you think of nooks and crannies to tuck yourself away with a drink for the evening. It sits downstairs from the UK drink experts – the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. It has leather sofas and an interesting cocktail menu.

But… somehow it just does not quite work.

The space, although difficult to see into from outside thanks to darkened glass, is large and airy, and gives the dreaded fish tank impression. There are plenty of seats but wooden chairs are uncomfortable for longer than a drink and too high to cross your legs under the table. They seem to be half way towards the speakeasy design, popping up over London, but ducked out from going all the way. And this all leads to a lack of atmosphere, even on a Friday night. And I’ve been to a fair few here.

Staff are great, knowledgeable and happy to help. Similarly the menu is worth taking your time over with a well-considered wine list for a bar including a range of sherries, specialty beers changing regularly (the chocolate ale was especially interesting) and a good range of cocktails, never more than £8, with my stand out being “Blood and Sand”, a whisky sour with a twist. However – here it comes - it is very difficult for the quality of the drinks to live up to the time it takes to make them. There are a lot of theatrics form the bar men and when a group of friends are after a round of pints before heading out to eat, well, don’t hold your breath for that order.

Don’t get my wrong, I am sure being local I will be back and I particularly like the booths at the back. The issue is The Hide Bar could be a really great bar, but instead it is one I would not push with classic pub Woolpack and trendy Village East just a 5 minute saunter up the road.

Callooh Callay, Hoxton 19/20*

Location: 65 Rivington Street, Hoxton/Shoreditch

Website: www.calloohcallaybar.com

Visit: Friday 8pm

To Note? Book a table in the Jub Jub bar and consider how good life would be if granted membership

Scores

Ambiance 5/5

Design 4/5

Drinks 5/5

Staff 5/5

Extra LBS star: *

After a warm greeted at the main bar I was handed over to the more than capable Jub Jub host Dan. It does not take long for the bar name to become apparent as – Alice-in-Wonderland style - I was whisked through a cupboard door and up some curtained stairs where a key was produced allowing entry to this attic bar.

This is not Callooh Callay. This…is the Jub Jub Club.

This free-but-you-need-to-be-a-member club is all about how much you enjoy cocktails. Every Thursday to Saturday there is a mixologist in residence often from further flung areas than when we visited – bar manager Andrea Montague was on call with her “breakfast menu”. She may be local but we sampled some, quite frankly, mind blowing drinks.

I must draw attention to that fact that we were presented – and topped up – with water as we perched at the bar. It’s a small gesture but as with Bramble a good one. From the menu online I was set on starting with Something For The Kids; a heady mix of whisky, orange juice and nutella. The flavours were amazing, layered one after the other to constantly surprise. My companion – a braver woman than me – opted for Alexander Kellogg’s. This was surprisingly, well, breakfast like, and all the more dangerous for it.

We progressed to a Ristretto and Soy Milk Latte’ini’ which was another perfect example of layers of delicious flavours and a hundred miles from the average Espresso Martini. My friend outdid me again opting for Bacon and Eggs which arrived with a cinnamon dusted pig in a blanket. Not only was this combination of sweet and savoury delicious, but the deep yellow glutinous drink it sat upon was so good I was verging on order envy. After this it was off-piste from the menu and anything that came our way!

To be somewhere on a Friday night where the mixologist has time to chat about your drinks, different flavour combinations, your favourite animal etc…is a delight. Leaving this haven to visit the toilets however caused a minor problem getting back in without a key. This is a small point but probably related to the fact we outstayed our alloted time slot when the Club really is “member only”. Music was good, people were all very friendly and obviously looking for beverage excellence, even the tarragon and parmesan popcorn got sticky thumbs up.

My LBS star is for a very similar reason to Scaredy Cat – yes the bar is secret but there are no pretentions here to be anything other than at the top of the cocktail game and if that means issuing members key then so be it.

I say this with my membership request pending so caveat this will be continued…

The Drift, Bishopsgate/City 13/20

Location: Heron Tower 110 Bishopsgate

Website: http://www.thedriftbar.co.uk/

Visit: Friday after work

To Note? BOOK!

Scores

Ambiance 3/5

Design 4/5

Drinks 2/5

Staff 4/5

Extra LBS star: You have to be kidding?!

What can you say about another Drake and Morgan cool NY-style bar which are popping up all over London wherever they can take money from tired office workers? Well, its another Drake and Morgan cool NY-style bar.

We booked a table for 6.15 on a Friday night. This, my friends, is a good idea. No. A great idea. I asked for our table at the entrance and was directed upstairs and once upstairs the smiley staff were very friendly and helpful. In fact once the squatters were promptly kicked off our table – read the sign! – we settled in to enjoy the views. Well, views of the bar.

It is beautiful in the way that The Folly and The Refinery are with potted herbs on the tables to denote your number if ordering food, three stories of drinking levels all open on one side to look out onto City office blocks and plenty of standing space for those who did not plan ahead. It’s fine.

What is not fine is paying £4.40 a pint for Meantime LPA. I thought at the time it must be a very special beer but paid £3 for the same beer just two days later in Dulwich. It was a good beer but not that good. We left after two drinks as it was nigh on impossible to carry out a conversation and we were getting mean looks from those evicted from our table. There were more of them than us.

Will I go back? Probably on a Friday night when meeting friends who work that side of the bridge, maybe for one of their doorstop sandwiches and wedges with a wine flight on a quiet Saturday afternoon, but otherwise with The Mayor just up the road it’s a no-brainer really. I appreciate they are trying to be everything to everyone; just pick your visit time carefully.

The Rake, Southbank 15/20*

Location: In Borough Market, Near Beer Wharf

Website: www.utobeer.co.uk/home.html

Visit: Wednesday after work

To Note? Best avoided if raining…and in winter

Scores

Ambiance 4/5

Design 2/5

Drinks 5/5

Staff 4/5

Extra LBS rating: They can get a * for being the first bar to stock the nectar that is BrewDog

Broken your leg? Wearing killer heels? Prefer a glass of chilled Chardonnay? Cocktail diva? All several reasons not to visit The Rake, and leave it to those who will really enjoy this little gem of a bar.

First thing you should know is that there are only two tables in The Rake. At least I think so as I have never been lucky enough to claim one; everything else happens outside. So if you have an aversion to standing this may not be the place for you. There are wooden benches running the length of the outside area with a mix of garden furniture dispersed throughout and still never enough space. The up-side is that none of this furniture is overly comfortable, and it gets nippy, so chances are someone will vacate a table without you waiting too long.

So it’s outside, with Men’s toilets being the ones on offer to the whole of Borough Market and one woman’s/disabled offering, there is a lack of seating and I am not sure I ever remember hearing music…”Why go?” I hear you clamour.

Beer.

Lots of beer. You just need to see their daily “what’s on the bar” tweets to know these guys are serious. And more than happy to help you make that choice as long as you do not rock up saying you love Stella, what have they got like Stella? In fact they would probably be more than happy to educate your poor man’s palate anyway. So you stand outside with your never-seen-before beer and you just enjoy being there. There is always a convivial atmosphere, squidging up on the bench for one more, perching on chair arms and huddling for warmth.

Perhaps this is a marmite bar – bit like the aforementioned BrewDog beer – and I am imposing my rose-tinted glasses to it, but I like it. And I hope you do too.

Bramble, Edinburgh 19/20**

Location: 16a Queen Street, Central Edinburgh

Website: www.bramblebar.co.uk/

Visit: Friday evening, 8pm

To Note? If you cannot see the door look for the doormen, its downstairs behind them. And check out their tea cups on wine glass stems, love it!

Scores
Ambiance 5/5
Design 4/5
Drinks 5/5
Staff 5/5

Any extra LBS rating (for that je ne sais quoi): **

If you are venturing down into this Edinburgh bar take note - at the bottom of the stairs there is in fact a glass door. I say this because my companion almost walked through this door - glass and all - to much hilarity...on my part...

So I had heard about this bar from many different corners and was warned that by 8pm on a Friday night we would be lucky to get through the door. Perhaps it was the beautiful Edinburgh evening but as we stumbled in we seemed to be the first customers. I say "seemed" because we were in fact blind. Stepping from a bright evening to a basement bar, we barely made it to the bar safely and promptly decided this was where we were to stay.In fact this did not cause a problem; plenty of space for others to order and a great opportunity to chat to the barmen.

Now i have only docked one point for the whole bar and that was for the menu. I am sure it was great but it was so dark we could not read it! This was a double edged sword because since all barmen love to be challenged (?!) we worked our way through a variety of their own whisky, absinthe and gin creations at an outrageous £6.50 each - we ripped them off!

As we left we saw that the bar was made up of nooks and crannies with antiques couches, there may have even been a bed at the back! The bar was filling up but not overcrowded and the music was turned up ready to go.

It seemed a mix of The Whistling Shop, Bed (anyone remember that one?) and the ever-expanding speak-easy trend. However this is not a criticism - as far as I can see they are taking the best from these ideas and making it work, we stayed for hours and the barmen truly knew their stuff. And the extra two stars? One for the wine-glass-meets-teacup creation and one for a stunning Ardbeg cocktail made over a mini iceberg - genius.

Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, Shoreditch 16/20*

Location: Behind the SMEG fridge door... (aka Breakfast Club, Artillery Lane)

Website: http://www.themayorofscaredycattown.com/ but it won't tell you much!

Visit: Saturday brunch, around midday

To Note? Book ahead with henri@themayorofscardeycattown.com

Scores
Ambiance 3/5
Design 5/5
Drinks 3/5
Staff 5/5

Any extra LBS rating (for that je ne sais quoi): 1 star *

First of all I have to confess this was my first "speakeasy" bar experience so the extra LBS rating is for the excitement of entering a bar behind a bartender straight from the 1950's through a SMEG fridge door. Let's be honest, it's not easy to avoid that smug look as you saunter past the other diners who are clearly wondering just where the hell you are going and what they are missing.

Let me tell you, a real gem bang in the centre of the city. It is a basement bar, so it's dark, but it was cosy, with enough light to see the menu (see Bramble review!) and the music was simply awesome.

We chose to come for brunch so I started with the obligatory Bloody Mary and since I am on a confession role...this was my first ever Bloody Mary - don't judge me! I liked it. I wasn't crazy about it and it is most definitely an acquired taste but the home roasted tomatoes were really flavoursome, lots of spice was perfect for me and I finished the large glass quite happily. The Mayor loses marks on drinks as my drinking companion not only could not face hers (BM virgin too) but was so traumatised she opted for a simple Prosecco! We paid for the untouched drink.

Staff were great: friendly, unpretentious, on-hand, hungover (as I would expect from ood bar tenders who know their products). I do not feel I can fairly judge the ambiance. Not only was this visit a while back before the word got out but not everyone rocks up to a basement bar on a sunny Saturday morning for an alcohol fuelling egg-based meal!

I have subsequently recommended it to everyone. I have also heard "get in before the city boys do" though I am not sure it is really their scene. I will go back, and without the fear of overcrowding or a scary doorman (NOTA BENE Experimental Cocktail Club) and only wish there was one behind every fridge door, the world would be a better place.